In an unexpected move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a series of fee reductions for the EB-5 investor visa program, marking one of the few instances where immigration-related costs are being lowered instead of raised. The EB-5 program offers foreign investors a path to U.S. permanent residency by investing in American job-creating enterprises.
If the new rule is finalized, the primary EB-5 petition fee (Form I-526/I-526E) would decrease from $11,160 to $9,625 — a 14% reduction. Similarly, the fee for removing conditions on permanent residency (Form I-829) would fall from $9,525 to $7,860, a 17% cut. Even more notable are the steep reductions for regional centers, which manage pooled EB-5 investments. The proposed changes include a 39% cut in Form I-956 (designation) fees to $28,895, and a 61% reduction for Form I-956 Amendment to $18,480. Fees for project approvals and annual reports would also see declines of nearly 40%.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), these proposed fee adjustments better reflect the true cost of processing applications and aim to improve efficiency. The agency has set new adjudication goals: 240 days for most regional center petitions and 180 days for new designations.
The EB-5 visa allows investors to secure a U.S. green card by contributing at least $1.05 million — or $800,000 for projects in rural or high-unemployment areas — to ventures that generate American jobs. Since Congress reauthorized the EB-5 program in 2022, demand has surged, particularly among investors from India and China seeking quicker residency options. The updated law also strengthened anti-fraud oversight and allocated visa reserves for rural and infrastructure investments.
DHS stated that the proposed fees “align with the actual cost of adjudicating EB-5 benefit requests” and are based on findings from a new cost analysis. However, these adjustments are not yet in effect. Public comments will be accepted until December 22, 2025, before DHS finalizes the rule.
If approved, the changes could translate into thousands of dollars in savings per investor and substantial reductions in regional center operating expenses. While investment minimums remain unchanged, the proposal introduces faster processing targets, offering renewed optimism for applicants.
At a time when most immigration fees are climbing, this initiative stands out as a rare financial relief for investors aiming to contribute to U.S. job creation and economic growth.
